If you like this, try…

Wines like Trousseau

The more structured of the Jura’s two red varieties, also grown in Portugal as Bastardo. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

← Back to Trousseau

Refine

What do you like about Trousseau?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

That it is not oaky

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too alcoholic or warming too light or thin too soft or too easy too plain or too simple too peppery

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
That it is not too strong: Alcohol you notice as warmth at the back of the throat. Some people find it a pleasant part of a big red and some find it tiring.
How light it is: A wine you can drink without it feeling like a commitment. Usually lower in alcohol as well as lighter in the mouth.
How smooth and soft it is: Low tannin. Tannin is the drying, gum-gripping sensation in red wine — like strong tea. A smooth red has little of it.
That it is not oaky: No barrel character — just the fruit and the acidity. Chablis and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc are the reference points.
The spice: Black pepper, clove, cinnamon. Some of it is the grape — the pepper in Syrah is a measured compound called rotundone — and some is the barrel.

Looking for something moving away from too soft or too easy, too peppery, too light or thin, too alcoholic or warming and too plain or too simple.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Priorat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

A little less soft or too easy.
About as peppery as the wine you started from.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Substantially less soft or too easy.
Substantially less peppery.
Substantially less light or thin.
Substantially less alcoholic or warming.
Substantially less plain or too simple.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and lighter.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Barbera d’Alba

Barbera d’Alba scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Barbera d’Asti

Barbera d’Asti scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Barbera

Barbera scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Tinta Negra

Tinta Negra scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and lighter.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Similar but fresher

Raises acidity and overall lift, usually by moving to a cooler-climate expression.

Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Bairrada Baga

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Naoussa Xinomavro

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Alicante Bouschet

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

McLaren Vale Shiraz

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Lambrusco

Lambrusco scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Lambrusco Grasparossa scores closest to Trousseau across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be stiller, and less spicy.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Touriga Nacional

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

Port

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Malbec

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Petit Verdot

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and lighter in alcohol.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Toro

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less spicy.

Petite Sirah

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be spicier, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and less tannic and softer.

Primitivo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Priorat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Nebbiolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Montefalco Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Sagrantino

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be less spicy, and rounder and creamier in texture.

Tannat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

Madiran

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter in alcohol, and less spicy.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Priorat

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be rounder and creamier in texture, and spicier.

Barbaresco

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and lighter in alcohol.

Chianti Classico

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and less tannic and softer.

Barolo

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be lighter, and spicier.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.